Looking for Pride events in Chicago? The Windy City Times’ Chicago Social Butterflies calendar has more than 75 events, from staples like the Chicago Pride Parade to neighborhood festivals, dance parties, art shows and more. There are dozens — if not hundreds — of things to do in Chicago this Pride Month.
Below, browse a sampling of these events. For the most up-to-date listing, visit the Windy City Times Pride Guide.
Pride parade and festivals
Chicago Pride Fest, Saturday and Sunday
The festival takes over North Halsted Street from Addison to Grace. Headliners this year include Jesse McCartney, Chrissy Chlapecka and Deborah Cox. A $20 donation is suggested for entry.
Chicago Pride Parade, June 29, 11 a.m.
This year’s parade in Lake View takes on the theme of “United in Pride” and will be led by TaskForce Prevention & Community Services.
Parties and other social events
Trans Ice Cream Social, June 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The annual social takes place at the Center on Halsted. Tickets are free, but RSVP before they run out.
Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day, Saturday, noon-7 p.m.
Last year’s inaugural beach day held by Lighthouse Foundation drew more than 400 attendees, and this year is expected to be bigger.
Circuitmom & Dreambrite, Saturday, 9 p.m.
Present by the Love Revolution Party at House of Blues Chicago. Tickets start at $68.50.
Eden Chicago’s Pride Fest Party, Saturday and Sunday
This is one of many parties happening around Chicago Pride Fest and could be a great stop in lieu of the festival or after. Tickets cost $20.
The Lesbian Social Club Pride Fest Takeover, Saturday, 2 p.m.-12 a.m.
The social club is taking over Pride Fest at D.S. Tequila for 10 hours of “nonstop vibes, beats and queer joy.” Tickets cost $22.26.
Pride Mini-Ball, June 25, 5-9 p.m.
TaskForce Prevention and Community Services is hosting its annual mini-ball to celebrate the LGBTQ+ nonprofit rooted in the rich legacy of ballroom culture.
Super Sapphic, June 27, 9 p.m.
A number of lesbian party groups join together for the fourth installment of Super Sapphic, which is taking over Metro and Smartbar. Tickets cost $31.
Color Me Pride Fashion Show and Brunch, June 28, 4-8 p.m.
Hosted by Chicago Urban Pride, the brunch takes place at the Grand Ballroom. Tickets start at $25.56.
Pride in the Sky, June 29, 10 p.m.
Presented by Chicago Urban Pride, the event is happening at the Promontory. Tickets start at $7.97.
Chicago Urban Pride’s Gay Pride Picnic, June 29, noon-8 p.m.
Picnic at Jackson Park with Chicago Urban Pride. Tickets are free.
Pride After Party June 29, 1-6 p.m.
The Lesbian Social Club is throwing an after-party at Moe’s Cantina in Wrigleyville after the Pride Parade. Tickets are $22.26.
Drag, theater, concerts and other live shows
Angels in America, now through Sept. 7
Invictus Theatre Company presents Tony Kushner’s landmark play about love, loss and survival during the AIDS crisis. Tickets start at $35.
Out and Proud: A Rainbow Icon Celebration, Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m.
Melissa Young and Nick Sula return to Chicago with their historical hit show. Young will perform music from beloved LGBTQ+ icons, matching them to significant moments in our history. Performance at the Den Theatre. Tickets cost $26.
Amplify Queer Joy, June 23, 7-8:30 p.m.
Chicago Playback Theater presents an evening of storytelling and improvisational theater that centers and celebrates your true stories of queer joy—shared by the audience! Performance at the Center on Halsted. Tickets start at $12.51.
OM Mission, Friday through June 28
This vibrant and joyful tribute to Black lesbians by Zahra Baker and Shanta Nurullah shares unsung histories of lesbian blues women in the 1920s and 1930s. The show is directed by Kezia Waters and runs June 20-28 at the Den Theatre. Tickets are $45, but are also available on a sliding scale.
Youth and family events
Orgullo y Allegria Family Festival! Saturday, 1-4 p.m.
This free, kid-friendly Pride event celebrates diversity and creativity at 1653 W. 35th St.
Far Northwest Side Family Pride, Sunday, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
United Northwest Side, Jefferson Park Forward, and Friendship Community Place are hosting a family-friendly community celebration in honor of Pride Month that will feature sweets, activities for kids, music and good vibes. The celebration is at the Color Club.
OUT and About at the Lake: TGNC Family Beach Day, Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
This free event hosted by Trans Up Front Illinois for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals, kids and their families was organized to create a “relaxed, affirming space to connect, play and celebrate in nature.” The meet-up is at Hollywood Beach.
Hora del Cuento de Drag at the Lozano Library Branch, June 25, 11 a.m-noon.
At the bilingual drag story time there will be songs, rhymes and books, in both English and Spanish. The event is free at the Lozano library branch.
Youth-Led Sexual Health and HIV Workshop, June 26, 1:30-3 p.m.
The youth-led workshop with Lurie Children’s Hospital is free at the Lincoln Belmont library branch.
Queer Prom’s GAGA GALA, June 27, 6-11 p.m.
The prom is a celebration for LGBTQ+ youth 25 and under at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The event is free.
Navy Pier Pride, June 28, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The event returns with live music, LGBTQ+ art, educational programming and resources. The event is free at Navy Pier.
Sensory-Friendly Pride: A Peaceful Place to Celebrate, June 28, 3-5 p.m.
Those looking to celebrate Pride in a calm environment can do so at Third Space in Lake View Presbyterian Church.
Pride! In Unity Park, June 29, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
The Unity Park Advisory Council is holding its first annual Pride event. This free, family-friendly celebration will have chalk art, DIY Pride kites, and a mini-Pride Parade. Unity Park is at 2636 N. Kimball Ave.
Family Pride Day at Gallagher Way, June 29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
For families, here is a nearby alternative to the Chicago Pride Parade. The event will feature live music from Rock & Roll Playhouse, photo ops, games and more. Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St.
Jarvis Square Family Pride, June 29, 2-9 p.m.
The celebration returns with live music and activities for people of all ages at R Public House, 1500 W. Jarvis Ave.
Educational events
Queer Elder History Panel, Friday, 7-8:30 p.m.
Gerber/Hart and the LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project are partnering to bring the younger and older generations together in dialogue about queerness over time. The event is at Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $19.76.
Chicago LGBTQ+ Stories Tours, Saturday, 10-11 a.m.
Join Mike McMains of Tours With Mike for a downtown walking tour of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ history. Tickets are $25, or $22.50 if you are a member of the Chicago History Museum.
American Writing Museum’s Writing Queer Tours, Thursday and Saturday throughout June.
Discover LGBTQ+ writers and their work at the American Writing Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd Floor. Tickets cost $18.91.
Sports events
White Sox Pride at the Park, Wednesday, 6:40 p.m
The White Sox play the St. Louis Cardinals at Rate Field. Ticket prices vary.
Running Tour of Valerie Taylor’s novel “The Girls in 3-B” June 24, 6-8 p.m.
Read & Run Chicago is hosting a running tour during which the group will stop at real-life queer hangouts from Chicago history and discuss the book’s characters. The run starts and ends at Vuori, 1003 N. Rush St., where there will be post-run snacks and a lecture from Gerber/Hart. Tickets cost $17.85.
Proud to Run: Pride Race, June 28, 8 a.m.
Proud to Run returns with a 5k walk, a 5k run and a 10k run for people to participate in, raising money to support LGBTQ+ organizations in Chicago. The run starts at 400 W. Montrose Harbor Drive. Tickets are $50-$65.
Art galleries and installations
“Dulce Sueño,” Now through July 19.
The exhibition, curated by artist José Felix Rosa Castro, is a show examining the tension between queerness and Puerto Rican identity. The exhibit is at El Schomburg in Humboldt Park by appointment only.
Connecting Threads—Africa Fashion in Chicago, Now through June 29.
Now on view at the Field Museum, local designers celebrate their heritage, culture and communities by creating collections inspired by items in the museum’s collections. Some pieces in the exhibit take on LGBTQ+ themes and celebrate gender fluidity. Ticket prices for the Field Museum can vary.
Frida Kahlo’s Month in Paris: A Friendship with Mary Reynolds, Now through July 13.
The Art Institute of Chicago unveiled work by Frida Kahlo focused on the trailblazing Mexican artist’s brief but pivotal encounter with bookbinder and artist Mary Reynolds. Tickets to enter the Art Institute are $20 for Chicago residents and free for Chicago residents Thursday evenings through Sept. 25, 5–8 p.m.
The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity, 1869-1939, Now through July.
Curated by Jonathan Katz, the exhibit examines how understanding of gay identity has evolved since the term “homosexual” was coined. Through July 26 at Wrightwood 659. Tickets are $15.
The Free Clinic For Gender-Affirming Care mural, Now through March 29, 2026.
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago is featuring murals by artist Edie Fake, which imagines a world of access and open expression. Tickets are $19 for Chicago residents and free for Illinois residents Tuesdays from 5-9 p.m.